POST IT FROM THE PASTOR

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." (Acts 26:28-29)

Sometimes the church forgets its purpose. I recently heard someone comment, “I don’t care whether they ever join us, we need to reach out and serve people in our community.” I know what was meant—that we need to build relationships and demonstrate our value to neighbors before they will consider the claims of Christianity—but that’s not to say we don’t care whether people join us. Even after two years of unjust imprisonment, when given a hearing before the Roman Governor and visiting King Agrippa, the Apostle Paul pleaded, not for his own freedom, but for his hearers to experience the freedom found through faith in Christ. That was his purpose, and it remains our purpose: to encourage all people to convert to Christianity, to join us in God’s Kingdom.

“Heavenly Father, amidst this busy season of delight and distraction, focus our hearts on the purpose for which You have called us and the reason You patiently wait to remake the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.”

Do we not also have Jesus' directive to serve all who hurt, e.g. feed the hungry...simply as a way of living out God's love? Yes, we always pray each person may know Christ as Savior, but should that be our only motivation?

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Kirk Hille

As Pastor at Pilgrim, Kirk is fueled by a passion for God's Word and a lot of good coffee.